Scott nodded.
“We’ll find a way. But we’re going to need an EM disruptor if we’re going to keep her in one place.”
“The lab were working on something a few months back,” Nate said, cracking his knuckles. “I’m sure we could ‘borrow’ one.”
“She’s going to need to be guarded round the clock,” Helen said. “I doubt we can do it on our own.”
“Good thing we’ve got plenty of friends here, then,” Scott said. “Joe. Maybe Duncan?”
Nate nodded. “Definitely.”
“Drake, too, if we can find him,” Scott added.
“Are you sure?”
Scott nodded. True, it was pretty obvious that the cop had feelings for Anna, but that just meant he’d be more motivated to make this work. And the more friendly faces he could put in front of Anna, the better. And if she loved the cop back, so what? As long as she was herself again, she was free to choose whoever she wanted. Even if it wasn’t him.
“We’re going to need someone who can keep the disruptor functional,” Helen said. They fell silent for a moment. None of the former AbGen agents had any experience with complex machinery.
“Dan,” Nate said eventually.
“Shepherd?”
Nate shook his head. “Massey. He always had a soft spot for Anna.”
“Enough to choose her over Ephraim?”
Nate shrugged.
“Maybe. I’ll talk to him.”
“We’re coming, too.”
The three of them spun as one. Mika and Rohan stood there, hands interlocked. Mika’s cheeks were red almost as red as her hair – there were no prizes for guessing what the two of them had planned to do in the storage closet. Scott shook his head emphatically.
“No. You’re staying here.”
“No, we’re not,” Rohan argued. Scott regretted spending so much time mentoring the kid – apparently his stubborn streak had rubbed off on him.
“We can help,” Mika said softly. “I can use my gift to tell if Anna is deceiving you. It is the only way you will truly know when you have reversed what Doctor Pearce has done to her.”
Nate looked at Scott and cocked an eyebrow. Scott had to admit, it was a good point.
“It’s too dangerous,” Helen said. “We would never forgive ourselves if you got hurt. And Anna wouldn’t want you to be in any danger.”
“We won’t be,” Rohan said. “If anything, you’re all going to be safer with us around.”
He stared at the knife Nate kept sheathed at his waist, and it worked its way clear and floated in the air in front of all of them. Nate snatched it back and shoved it back into its sheath.
“He’s got a point, you know.”
“If they come with us, we can never come back here. Ephraim will never forgive us,” Helen said. The three of them shared a look, and Scott cracked a smile.
“I was getting sick of his attitude, anyway. Alright, kid, you’re in. Both of you.”
“I hear you need to get into a locked cabinet,” Rohan said. “A little telekinetic help might get that lock open.”
“Good man,” Nate clapped him on the shoulder.
“What are we waiting for?” Scott asked. “Let’s go find out who our friends are.”
Chapter Six
Anna
“Ah, Anna, I see you’re still upset.”
I wonder what gave him that impression – the fresh blood on my knuckles, the hole I’ve chewed in my lip, or the fact that I haven’t stopped pacing for the last… well, I don’t know how long it’s been. The doc took his watch back when he debriefed me. I stop pacing and look across at him, the sarcastic retort dying on my tongue. It’s not him I’m upset with. My fingers curl loosely around the bars of my open cage and I watch him through the gaps between them.
“I was powerless.”
“Anna, my dear, your talent may not have functioned, but you were never powerless. You have become an extraordinary creature, and even faced with the weaknesses of your past, you triumphed over them. I am proud of you.”
His words are a salve to my wounded pride, but I’m not sure I deserve them. Memories are buzzing inside my head like a swarm of angry bees, stinging me at random.
“You have proven both your loyalty and your self-restraint.”
High praise indeed. A little glow starts inside my chest and spreads until it reaches my cheeks. The doc trusts me again. He’s forgiven me for my indiscretion with Sno– with Megan. Still, the memories niggle at me, squirming out of reach of my mind’s eye each time I try to pin one of them down, so that I can see only vague images, and feel only cloudy emotions, until another of them stings me with crystal clarity. Loyalty. Loyal. I was loyal once before, to him. The traitor. I loved him. Proving that even my emotions are suspect, not to be trusted.
“Still you doubt yourself.”
It’s not a question, but I nod anyway.
“I almost failed you. Again.” My voice is small and shakes as the admission escapes my lips. I hang my head.
“You performed well, given the circumstances. The mission was a success, so there will be no more talk of failure.”
He raises an eyebrow at me and I nod, trying to shake off my lethargy. Doc thinks I performed well. And the mission was a success. So the unease taking root in my stomach doesn’t make sense. I clench my jaw, grinding my teeth together. It’s the traitor. He’s the reason I feel so conflicted. He already stole enough of my life. I won’t let him ruin my happiness now. I determine to push him far from my mind and say nothing more about the whole mess.
“Another mission will help you shake this mood, assuming you’re up to it?”
I perk up at the prospect of another mission, maybe the chance to fight someone and vent my frustration, and there’s no missing the note of challenge in the doc’s voice. I nod enthusiastically and uncurl my hands from around the bars, working the kinks from my shoulders. The sooner the better.
“Good. I think it’s time for you to prove to yourself that you can overcome the indiscretions of your past. After your encounter, Scott and the other rebels will no doubt intensify their attempts to recapture you.”
If he notices the shudder that runs through me, he makes no comment on it. I’ll never let them take me again.
“We will use this to our advantage. You will return to the area and wait for him to track your location. Once he does, you will allow him to get close to you under the pretence of wanting to go with him. As soon as you are able, you will shift him to a holding cell.”
I shift my weight from one foot to the other, chewing my lower lip. There’s not a single thing I like about this plan, and my stomach’s already churning at the prospect of allowing the traitor to get within striking distance.
The doc’s watching me closely, so I don’t allow any of my doubts to show on my face. He wouldn’t approve. Instead, I say;
“When do I leave?
“I think sooner is better than later, don’t you?”
No. Yes. I want it over with, I just don’t want to have to do it. But once Scott’s locked away, I can get back to forgetting all about him and proving to the doc that I’m still his perfect soldier – and proving it to myself at the same time. I need to end the power the traitor holds over me. I don’t answer, because as always the doc reads the answer in my face.
“Good. I’ll arrange for some back up, and we’ll get you on the ground tomorrow.”
*
Tomorrow comes around entirely too fast for my liking. I eat a sparse breakfast, run over the plan one last time with the doc, and then he sends me on my way. We’re five minutes from the alleyway I last saw the traitor in when I feel the subtle pulsing in my collar die away – it’s no longer active. Once we reach our destination, my back up – which consists of two handlers – will make themselves scarce, so we don’t scare the traitor off when he arrives. I’m glad. I don’t need them anyway. With all the training Doc Pearce has given me, I’m a better fighter than Scott, and I’m faster,
and none of that matters because I’m just going to grab him and shift back to the doc, and then he’s not going to be my problem anymore.
If he doesn’t show, I’ll do a short shift, allowing my EM pulse to take out the nearby electrics. That’ll bring him down on me like a fly on shit. He’ll come alone, of course, because he’s not going to risk scaring me off, not as long as he thinks he has a chance of convincing me to come in. And I’ll let him think that, allowing him to believe I convinced the doc to send me out here, in the hopes I would bump into him again, and pounce on some imaginary feelings he stirred inside me. Key word there: imaginary. The only feeling he conjures in me is disgust, and I’ll be glad to remove his stain from my life.
I get out of the car and slam the door behind me, forcing my legs to stride confidently across the asphalt until I’m out of sight. The alley is just up ahead. I take a slow breath and walk toward it. I’m not anxious. I’m moving more slowly now because that’s what Scott would expect, not because I’m scared of him actually showing. I’m afraid of nothing. I’m thorough, that’s all. There’s no way of knowing if he’s already here somewhere, watching me. A shiver runs along my shoulders and I shrug it off, pausing in the mouth of the alley. There’s nothing to do now but wait.
I wait. I wait until I start to doubt the sense of this mission. I wait until I start to doubt my ability to carry it out. I wait until I eventually remember the watch around my wrist, and check it. The action feels alien. Even in my past life I hardly ever used a watch; I would check the time on my phone. I tilt my wrist and check the hands on the dial with a frown. Only fifteen minutes have passed. That can’t be right. How can so little time have passed? Doc says I’m only to shift if I’ve been waiting over an hour.
I lean back against the wall with a sigh. I spent half the night worrying about whether I’d freeze up again when I came face to face with him – I won’t – and whether or not I’d be able to lure him close enough to me – I will. I didn’t spare a thought for the waiting. I pass hours in my cell every day waiting for the doc to visit. Waiting’s never bothered me before. I slump to the floor, leaning back against the wall and letting my eyes slide close. I take another slow breath, letting my chest expand as the air flows through me, and focus on the relaxation exercises Fisher taught me back in the med wing.
“Anna?”
My eyes flutter open, and my breath catches in my throat. He’s here. Staring down at me from the far side of the alley. I dropped my guard, I should have seen him coming. I blink and I’m on my feet with my arms raised defensively, my body responding to the thought before I finish thinking it.
“Easy.” He raises his hands, showing me his empty palms. I force a slow breath into my lungs and remind myself that I’m supposed to be acting like I wanted to meet him. I let my hands fall limply to my sides, and across the alley way he slowly lowers his.
“I’ve been looking for you for months,” he says, not moving any closer.
“I know.” My voice is wooden and I curse myself. I’m supposed to be traumatised, not hostile. I’m never going to convince him I wanted to be found like this. “I mean,” I try again, “the Scottish guy told me in my dream. Duncan.”
It wasn’t really a dream, at least, not a natural one. I wonder if Scott will lead us to him – the doc has been after the illusionist’s talent ever since he heard about it. He hasn’t forgiven me for chasing him away. I bury the thought before it can show on my face. Focus on the mission.
“I’m so sorry, Anna. I did everything I could to find you sooner.”
“I know,” I say again, and this time my voice is soft, barely more than a breath. He takes a single step toward me and I let him.
“How do you manage to get out?” he asks me softly. Not as stupid as he looks.
“I told Doctor Pearce I would set a trap for you.”
“And have you?”
I shake my head mutely. He looks like he believes me, and I revisit my former assessment. He takes a few more slow steps forwards, like he’s approaching a wild animal, keeping his eyes on mine the whole time. I want to look away from him, but I can’t. Those eyes are full of emotion – pain, hope, fear. Love. Like I said, he’s a hell of an actor. I need to up my game.
“You said I could go… home.” The word sticks in my throat but I manage to cough it out. How can a word hurt so much? I push the thought away and focus on maintaining my façade.
“Any time you want. Just come with me.” He stretches out a hand and I just stare at it. I should take it then shift as soon as we make contact, and put this whole thing behind me, but somehow I don’t. The word ‘home’ is still bouncing around inside my head, stirring up a whirlwind of memories, as if home wasn’t three walls of bars and one of brick, inside a basement. As if it’s a feeling, a person… and that person isn’t Pearce.
I quash the thought quickly, cursing my traitorous tendencies. The doc has given me everything and still some part of me wants to betray him. I make myself sick. He’s counting on me to complete this mission. I won’t fail him again.
I stare out from behind my eyes again and see Scott has dropped his hand. No matter, there will be other opportunities. He’s watching me closely, trying to read my blank face.
“It’s your choice, Anna. I’m not going to force you.”
He moves closer to me again and I paste a look of uncertainty on my face and let him get within range. My heart starts to hammer at his proximity and it’s suddenly all I can do to keep breathing and stop myself shifting right back to the doc. He raises a hand toward my face and I flinch. Again. He lets it fall back to his side.
“What did he do to you?” he asks softly, his whole face pained with fake pity.
I don’t know what answer he expects me to give about the man who gave me the chance to redeem myself, nor can I bring myself to speak ill of him. Instead, I let tears well in my eyes – they come more easily than I expect.
“Please…” I whisper. Doctor Pearce said I was weak before, that’s why the traitor was able to corrupt me. Maybe that’s why he’s so quick to believe the tears.
“It’s okay, it’s over now. You’re never going back there.”
That’s what he thinks. I stretch a hand out towards him, ready to grab him and shift, then pull up short. I can feel a familiar pressure starting up inside my head and cock it to one side, considering. An EM disruptor? But it’s not coming from the collar. My eyes narrow.
“What’s going on?” I demand.
“It’s okay, Anna. No-one’s going to hurt you. We just want to talk.”
“We?” The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I don’t like where this is headed.
Another figure steps into the alley and I frown, not understanding. Then I recognise her, and fear clenches in my stomach. I try to shift instinctively, and pain hammers at my skull. I clutch it and back away from them. From her. Helen. Her ability to change people’s perception of her makes her the Ishmaelian’s most dangerous weapon. Her talent could have me following her anywhere she went, even away from the doc. I shake my head with fear, real fear. This is wrong, it’s all going wrong. I won’t let them take me again.
“Stay away from me.”
“Please, Anna,” she says, and though her voice is soft she looks startled at my reaction. She raises her hand and shoots a look at the traitor. I should run while I still can. Get out of range of the disruptor and shift back to the doc’s men.
“We’re your friends. You can trust us.”
I feel a gentle tug inside my head as her soft voice drifts towards me. I’ve felt it before. She’s using her talent on me. Only this time it feels… different. Less insistent. There’s no compulsion, no need to give in to her voice. I shake my head again, trying to clear it. It’s like there’s an insect buzzing around inside my skull. What is she doing?
I see it then. The uncertainty that flashes through her eyes. The confusion. This wasn’t their plan. Her talent isn’t working on me the way it should.
&
nbsp; “Come with us, Anna,” she says, stretching a hand out to me. This time the insect is easier to shut out. I ignore her and turn my fierce glare to Scott.
“Liar!” I spit in disgust. “You said you wouldn’t force me.”
“It’s not like that,” the traitor denies, sounding pained. “Pearce has messed with your head.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, stalking towards him, loose limbed. I don’t need to be able to shift to complete my mission. “He saved me.”
“No, he didn’t, Anna. He brainwashed you. He doesn’t even trust you – why do you think he put that collar around your neck?”
“To remind me that someone cares about me enough to keep me safe.” Unlike you, the accusation hangs silently in the air between us.
“Like a dog,” he counters, a hard edge to his voice. I flinch away from the suggestion. It’s not like that at all. I’m reckless, Doc wants to keep me safe. Scott doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about, which doesn’t stop him from talking about it.
“And just like a dog,” he continues, “he only cares about you as long as you obey.”
He’s wrong. I’ve disobeyed him before, and the doc still cared enough to punish me. I don’t expect someone like Scott to understand that though.
“And who cares about you?” I ask.
“You.” His answer stops me dead in my tracks. “You care about me, Anna. I refuse to believe Pearce can just… erase that.” He runs his hand over his face and looks ten years older as his eyes search mine.
“Just tell me you’re still in there somewhere.”
I hold his gaze and my voice is cold and inflectionless when I speak.
“I never loved you.”
He steps back like I’ve physically struck him… which makes me wonder why I haven’t, in fact, physically struck him. It’s time to wind this up.
“Anna…” Helen’s voice comes from behind me.
“Stop trying to use my name as a weapon,” I snap, rounding on her furiously. “That doesn’t work anymore. I’m not the weak little girl I used to be.” My lip curls in disgust.
Unleashed (TalentBorn Book 4) Page 5